Contact for subsurface electrical-railroad systems.



a02/zj M M\\ Z/7% N l Zd j 'teriaL srains OWEN E. LONGS-DORF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

'Patented Apr. 4c, 1916.

Application led September 24, 1915. Serial No. 52,463.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, OWEN E. LoNesDoRF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulllmprovements in Contacts for Subsurface Electrical-Railroad Systems, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to improvements in subsurface electrical railroad system contacts, and has for its objectthe production of a contact of this character which will be of economical construction, one which will be adapted to effectually and Vpositively break the electrical connection between the power conductor and the exposed rail except during the passing of a train, one which, in establishing connection between the power conductor and theeXposed rail, will be free form arcing, 'and one which generally will be highly eiiicient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. With these objects in view,the invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification,- and in which,

Figure l is a top plan view of a Contact device embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal. section through the device, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line .fr-m of Fig. 2.

The preferred form of construction, las illustrated in the drawing, comprises a block or holder 1 of cement or other suitable insulating material. Formed in the member l is a plurality of spaced upwardly opening cylindrical recesses 2 in each of Vwhich is mounted an upwardly opening receptacle 3 of porcelain or other suitable insulating material. y

In each receptacle 3 is arranged a metallic contact ring` 4: with which is connected `a conductor wire 5 `leading to the power conductor which extends longitudinally of the track in connection with which the system is employed below the surface of the ground or protected against external contact. The contact ring -l is held in position in the receptacle 3 by-means of sleeves 6 and 6 of porcelain or other suitable insulating InalmovementI in said opening.

A cylindrical opening 7 is thus formed through the parts i4., 6 and 6 at the upper end of which is provided a contact member 3 of carbon, or other suitable conducting material, the member 8 being sealed in the upper end of receptacle 3 by means of a layer 8 of suitable insulating material. Each member 8 is connected by means of a conductor wire 9 with the depending flange l0 of a contact rail 11 which is arranged at the upper side of member 1 extending longitudinally thereof. The upper end of member 1 is formed with allongitudinally eX- tending slot 1:2 for the reception of the ange 10.` The upper end of rail 11 is of a width slightly greater than the diameter of recesses 2 in order to close the same and the upper portion of said rail is conveXed or bowed upwardly to permit of slight yielding of the same in the contact therewith of the contact shoe or brush carried by the train yin conjunction with which the system is employed. In installing a system in conziection with a railroad, the blocks 1 are arranged parallel with tlie track rail end to end, and to prevent Vcontact of the rail members 11 of adjacent blocks 1, said rail members are made shorter than the blocks so that said rail members terminate a short distance from the ends of the blocks and thus positivelyprevent contact between the ends of adjacent rail members.

Arranged in the opening 7 in each recep- Itacle`3 is a snugly fitting armature 13 of Norwayiron or other suitable conducting material whichis adapted for free vertical When said armature is at its ripper terminal of movement, balls 14C, loosely mounted in an annular groove 15 formed in the inner edge of contact member'l, will engage in 'an annular groove 16 formed adjacent the lower end of said armature and'thus serve to establish electrical connection between the contact `members 4 and 8. Aplurality of balls l-l is employed coperating with each armature 13, said balls moving automatically by gravity into and out-of engagement with the `corresponding groove 16 in thevertical movement of the armature. The employ'- ment of a series ofballs in connection with each armature which, when the latter 1s at its upper terminal of movement, engage partly with the member l and partly with the armature'13, results in a very efficient electrical connection between the contact members 4 and 8.

Arranged in the lateral surface of each armature 13 intermediate the ends thereof isa layer 17 of insulating material adapted when the armature is at its lower terminal of movement to register with the balls 14 and thus break the electrical connection between the armatlilre and the contact member 4. Electrical connection between the armature and the contact member 8 is of course broken upon downward movement of said armature but the provision of the insulating member 17 affords additional means for insuring positively the breaking of electrical connection between the contact members 4 and 8 through insulation of the armature from the contact member 4, when said armature is at its lower terminal of movement. The insulating' member 17 is so positioned that, in the upward movement of the armature, the balls 14 contact with said armature before the upper end of the latter contacts with the contact member 8. Vith this arrangement, arcing which is one of the chief objections in devices of this character in making the connection of the contact rail with the power conductor,

, is positively prevented.

In the operation of the device, it will be seen that normally the electrical connection between the contact rail 11 and the power conductor used in connection with the system is broken. The device is designed for use in connection with trains equipped with contact brushes or shoes which are magnetic and which thus serve the double function of magnets and conductors. In the passage of a train, the magnetism of the contract brush or shoe of the train serves to attract the armatures 13 upwardly thereby resulting, when said armatures reach their upward terminals of movement, in the electrical connection between the contact rail 11 and the power conductor which is connected with the conductor wire 5, as will be readily understood. Electrical connection is thus afforded between the power conductor and the brush or shoe of the train with' the result of supplyingy the necessary power or'current for the propulsion of the train. After the train has passed, the armatures 13 drop downwardly by gravity to their lower terminals of movement with the result of breaking electrical connection between the Contact rail 11 and the-power conductor.

In the manufacture of the devices, the parts carried by each of the members 3 are 'first assembled in the latter. The conductor wires 9 are then connected with the flange 10 of the conductor rail whereupon said parts are placed in the block l in the positions shown. A suitable molten sealing insulating material is then poured into the `claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis: l

1. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising two spaced'contact members; a movably mounted armature adapted in one position to establish electrica-l connection between said contact members; and an insulating element on said armature adapted, when said armature is in another position, to register with one of said contact members and break said electrical connection, substantially as described.

Q. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising two spaced contact members; a movably mounted armature adapted to be attracted to one position to establish electrical connection between said contact members, movement of said armature from such position effecting disengagement thereof from one of said contact-members; and an insulator on said armature for insulating the same from the other' of said contact members in the movement of said armature from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, said armature engaging with one of said contact members before the same engages with the other contact member in the movement of said armature to operative position, substantially as described.

3. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a receptacle; two spaced Contact members in said receptacle insulated from each other; an armature mounted for reciprocatory movement in said receptacle and adapted to be attracted to one position to establish electrical connection between said contact members, movement ofsaid armature from such position effecting disengagement thereof from one of said contact members; and an insulator on said armature for insulating the same from the other of said contact members in the movement of said armature from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, substantially as described.

4. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second contact member registerica ing with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; and an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, to effect disengagement thereof also from said second mentioned contact member, substantially as described.

5. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second contact member registering with the side ot' said opening and 'insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when. in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connectionV between said contact members; and an annular insulator embracing said armature and embedded therein adapted, when the lattermoves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, to effect disengagement thereof also from said second mentioned contact member, substantially as described.

6. A subsurface electrical railroad system contact comprising' a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second annular contact member registering with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; a series of balls interposed between said second mentioned contact member and said armature adapted to rest by gravity against the periphery of said armature; and an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member to effect disengagement thereof also from said balls, substantially as described.

v 7. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a Contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second annular contact member registering with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; a series of balls interposed between said second mentioned contact member and said armature adapted to rest by gravity against the periphery of said armature; an annular groove in the periphery of said armature adapted for the reception of said balls; and an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member to eiiect disengagement thereof also from said balls, substantially as described.

8. A sub-surface electrical ailroad system contact comprising a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end or' said opening; a second annular contact member registering with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be. attracted by said iirst mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; a series of balls interposed between said second mentioned contact member and said armature adapted to rest by gravity against the periphery of said armature; an annular groove in the inner surface ot' said second mentioned contact member for the reception of said balls; an annular groove in the adjacent surface of said armature adapted to register with and receive the inner sides oi4I said balls when said armature is in operative position; and an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves :from engagement with said first mentioned contact -member to effect disengagement thereof also from said balls, substantially as described.

9. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second contact member registering with the side of said opening and insulated `trom said irst mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a positon in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; and an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, to effect disengagement thereof also from said second mentioned contact member, said armature, in the movement thereof to operative position, engaging with said second mentioned contact member before the same engages with said first mentioned contact member, substantially as described.

10. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a receptacle having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second contact member1 registering with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said rst mentioned Contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical. connection between said contact members; an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, to effect disengagement thereof also from said second mentioned contact member; a contact rail permanently electrically connected with said first mentioned contact member; and a power conductor permanently electrically connected with said second mentioned contact member, substantially as described.

11. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a body having an upwardly opening recess therein; a receptacle arranged in said recess having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said opening; a second contact member registering with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted for reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, to effect disengagement thereof also from said second mentioned contact member; a contact rail at the upper side of said body; a depending fiange on said rail engaging a slot provided in the upper side of said body and being permanently electrically connected with said first mentioned contact member; and a. power conductor permanently electrically connected with said second mentioned contact member and extending eXteriorly of said body, substantially as described.

12. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a body having an upwardly opening recess therein; a receptacle arranged in said recess having an elongated guide opening therein; a contact member arranged at one end of said openinO;` a second contact member registering with the side of said opening and insulated from said first mentioned contact member; an armature mounted foi' reciprocation in said opening and adapted to be attracted by said first mentioned contact member to a position in engagement therewith, said armature, when in said position, engaging also with said second mentioned contact member to establish electrical connection between said contact members; an insulator on said armature adapted, when the latter moves from engagement with said first mentioned contact member, to effect disengagement thereof also from said second mentioned 'contact member; a contact rail at the upper side of said body; a depending flange on said rail engaging a slot provided in the upper side of said body and being permanently electrically connected with said first mentioned contact member, the upper portion vof said contact rail closing the upper end of said recess; and a power conductor permanently electrically connected with said second mentioned Contact member and extending eXteriorly of said body, substantially as described.l e

13. A sub-surface electrical railroad system contact comprising a body; a contact rail mounted upon the upper side of said body; a power conductor entering the lower portion of said body and normally insulated fromsaid rail; and magnetically controlled means for electrically connecting said power conductor with said rail, the upper end of said rail being bent back upon itself to form a resilient4 contacting portion, substantially as described. i y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OWEN E. LONGSDORF.

Witnesses z JOSHUA R. H. Po'r'rs, HELEN F. LILLis.

Ggpies at this patent may be obtained for 'five cents each, by addressing the Coxnm'isspner of lfatents, Washington, D. G, 

